"Are You There, Rarotonga?"

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 46, 31 May 1929, Page 8

"Are You There, Rarotonga?"

Special Programme for the Islands NE of the "Island Nights’ Entertainments" of which Robert Louis Stevenson never even dreamed, will be given on Saturday evening, June 8. On that date 1YA will broadcast a special programme of native music. It came about in this way. Among 1YA’s overseas mail recently was a letter from the Cook Islands. The writer, Captain Campbell, said, inter ‘ alia:-"For some time I have had the pleasure of listening in to 1YA, and {I have brought numbers of native chiefs to hear the set. Provided there ED CSET SE TO SI

is not much static we can hear you on the loudspeaker any time after 8 © o’clock New Zealand time. "There is at Hamilton, New Zealand, Mx. Platts, O.M.G., Resident Magistrate. He was at one time Resident Commissioner for this group of islands and very much beloved by the people. They would very much like to hear him again, and I write tu ask if you could arrange a part of your programme one evening especially for this group, and get Mr. Platts to speak. The natives especially like Hawaiian music and songs on the guitar or ukulele. If you did arrange such an evening, I would arrange for the principal chief, Tinomana Ariki, to be present, and greetings could be sent to him by Mr. Platts. I have translated the Rey. Chappell’s lectures to them and they have proved very interesting, especially the one on fortifications, and the story of the wet cloaks." 1YA promptly arranged a special programme, and Mr. Platts, when approached by the Broadcasting Com- -- ae

pany, kindly agreed to broadcast a message to the Islands. This will take place on Saturday, June 8 There will be a gathering of native chiefs and one can well imagine their wonderment as they listen to the well-known voice of one they knew to be hundreds of miles away across the ocean, yet heard as though he were speaking in the next room. eamnind